By james art BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPRUD) — A federal lawsuit filed Tuesday by two Baton Rouge therapists accuses the state of Louisiana of violating their right to free speech.
The lawsuit challenges a state law that prohibits people from using the words “psychology,” “psychological,” or “psychologist” to describe their counseling practice unless the owners are licensed psychologists. Anyone who breaks the law can be charged with a crime.
According to the lawsuit, plaintiffs Julie Aleman and Juliet Catret want to change their company’s name back to Psychological Wellness Institute because they believe it accurately describes the services provided at the practice. The business name is currently P. Wellness Institute to comply with the law.
The two argued that the ban violated their First and 14th Amendment rights.
Aleman is a licensed professional counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, and licensed addiction counselor. Katret is a licensed clinical social worker. Both said they never held themselves out as licensed psychologists.
“Our business is built on helping people alleviate their suffering by promoting psychological health,” Aleman said. “This law criminalizes us for using the word ‘psychological’ in our business name to accurately describe the services we provide and prohibits us from using common words that people expect to hear from their counselors, making us liable to civil and criminal charges. “
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Attorneys said a representative of the Louisiana State Board of Psychological Examiners said a preliminary investigation found multiple violations of the law after a complaint was filed in January 2024.
Alleman and Catrett are seeking an injunction to prevent the state from taking any action if they use some variation of the word “psychology” in the title of and for their practice.
They are represented pro bono by the Center for Individual Rights and the Pelican Institute for Public Policy.
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